Dual compartment container for mints and picks

ABSTRACT

The dual compartment container generally includes two elongated compartments separated by a divider and capable of storing mints and toothpicks. Each compartment is capped by a selectively lockable lid that retains the mints and toothpicks in each respective compartment of the container. The lids are capable of pivoting about a common hinge to selectively dispense the toothpicks and/or mints. A lock integral to each lid ensures retainment of the contents within each respective compartment during transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a dual compartment container for mints and toothpicks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container having at least two discrete compartments individually or simultaneously accessible and capable of storing at least mints and toothpicks.

Toothpicks and toothpick holders are widely known in the art. Toothpicks generally have one or more pointed ends used to clean crevices between teeth. The most common toothpicks have a generally cylindrical wooden body that tapers to a point at each end of the toothpick. These wooden toothpicks are disposable and inexpensive to manufacture. There is a huge, yet saturated, market for the manufacture of such toothpicks. Accordingly, these types of toothpicks are often available in homes and in restaurants. Restaurant patrons may find these toothpicks especially useful to remove food lodged between teeth after eating a meal. But, such toothpicks are typically less available at other locations. Thus, people tend to carry toothpicks in purses or other clothing articles. Carrying toothpicks alone is generally not recommended because various unwanted substances may attach to the toothpicks, especially when placed in a pocket for transportation. Absent placement in proper packaging or being sealed by a wrapper, the toothpicks can and often do retain contaminants and other microscopic substances thereon.

One drawback of disposable wooden toothpicks are packaging and handling conveniences. Large quantities of disposable wooden toothpicks are generally sold in paper or plastic boxes too large to fit comfortably within a compartment, such as a pocket or purse. The boxes are relatively weak and fail under moderate pressure. A broken box will not retain the toothpicks, thereby causing a messy assortment of multiple sharp objects within the compartment interior. Therefore, it is not uncommon for users to carry individual toothpicks. But, the exposed sharp ends of an individual loose toothpick could still cause damage to the interior of the compartment, especially the interior of a purse or pants pocket. Moreover, shifting increases the risk of damage to the purse or pants pocket and may even result in an injury to the carrier. For example, a loose toothpick in a pants pocket may become lodged longitudinally and could dig into the skin or even break the surface of the clothing, thereby causing permanent damage.

There are many toothpick holders known in the art which are capable of beneficially carrying the aforementioned toothpicks. For example, wooden toothpicks may be joined together into a block of toothpicks and stored in a paper housing. Individual toothpicks break off from the wooden block after completely removing the block from the paper housing. Another toothpick holder includes a matchbook shaped container having a plurality of individually wrapped wooden toothpicks detachably secured to the container by the wrapping. These toothpicks are also interconnected to one another by perforations therebetween. Ends of the toothpicks attach to the container to prevent the toothpicks from falling out. Another alternative toothpick holder design includes a set of toothpicks formed in a regular sheet of siliconized paper. Diagonal perforations formed between the flat toothpicks keep each toothpick interconnected within the sheet. Accordingly, these toothpicks may form stackable sheets.

Such toothpick holders are generally effective and safe, but drawbacks do exist. For example, toothpicks are commonly loosely placed in the toothpick holder packets and not fastened to the respective housing. Accordingly, these toothpicks may accidentally fall out from the packets during transportation. Tapered ends of the toothpicks can also increase the risk of puncturing the corresponding housing, resulting in injury or damage to clothing, as described above. Other toothpick packages also increase manufacturing and material expenses of the toothpicks.

Another drawback is that the prior art containers fail to integrate toothpick holders with compartments for storing mints, gum, candy or other consumable or chewable breath-fresheners. Oftentimes, breath fresheners are desirable after a meal. Mints, for example, are one type of breath freshener that users may purchase and carry individually. Each mint is protected a small plastic cover to prevent the candy from being exposed to the environment. This necessarily increases the cost of manufacturing the candy and fails to provide a means for neatly carrying multiple candies at one time. Moreover, traditional containers for retaining breath fresheners simply do not contemplate storage of toothpicks. For example, chewing gum containers, alone, may have a protective container capable of carrying the gum. A lid in the container provides selective access to the gum therein. The lid may include some form of mechanism to ensure the lid seals the compartment. The compartment may further include a series of parallel ridges along one wall of the container to offset the gum sticks from the wall. This enables the gum sticks to advance completely to the top of the container to be dispensed therefrom.

Accordingly, there exists a significant need for a container capable of storing and transporting mints and toothpicks. Such a container should include at least two separate compartments, one for storing the mints and one for storing the toothpicks. The container should further include a cap having a pair of locking lids individually operable to access either the mints or the toothpicks individually or concurrently. The container should also be durable, easy to manufacture and cost effective. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a dual compartment container capable of storing mints and toothpicks. The container generally includes two elongated, separate compartments, wherein each compartment is capable of storing mints or toothpicks. Each compartment is capped by a selectively lockable lid that retains the mints or the toothpicks therein. The lids are preferably integral to a single cap that is insertable into the top of the container and a portion of each compartment. A lock snaps into or otherwise substantially retains the lid in a closed position relative to the cap. Moreover, the cap couples to the container to prevent disconnection therefrom during the normal course of transportation. Each compartment of the container may be accessed individually or collectively by unsnapping each lid of the cap. Each lid pivots about a common hinge.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual compartment container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dual compartment container of FIG. 1, illustrating a cap insertable within the respective compartments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dual compartment container, illustrating opening a first lid of the cap;

FIG. 4 is an alternative perspective view of the dual compartment container, illustrating opening a second lid of the cap;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the dual compartment container retaining mints and toothpicks therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dual compartment container, illustrating dispensing mints therefrom; and

FIG. 7 is an alternative perspective view of the dual compartment container, illustrating dispensing toothpicks therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention for a dual compartment container is referred to generally by the reference number 10. In FIG. 1, the dual compartment container 10 is shown in perspective view including a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14. The inclusion of two compartments 12, 14 is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the dual compartment container 10 may include one or more compartments capable of storing a variety of items, such as mints or toothpicks. The elongated structure of the compartments 12, 14 are particularly ideal for storing toothpicks, as generally shown in FIGS. 5-7. Preferably, the compartments 12, 14 are manufactured from a rigid material such as plastic or metal. This ensures that the structural integrity of the dual compartment container 10 remains sound despite the potential of being transported in a number of difference environments, any of which could cause wear and tear on an otherwise weak material. Manufacturing the dual compartment container 10 from a rigid material also ensures that the contents within the interior of the compartments 12, 14 are not otherwise damaged during transportation. As generally shown in FIG. 1, the compartments 12, 14 are separated by a divider 16 that prevents cross-contamination of any of the contents within the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the dual compartment container 10, illustrating partial removal of a cap 18 that otherwise engages and locks to the compartments 12, 14. The cap 18 includes a first extension 20 and a second extension 22 sized to snugly fit into the interior of the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14, respectively. Accordingly, the cap 18 may include one or more of the extensions 20, 22 to match the quantity of compartments in the dual compartment container 10. A gap 24 is located between the first extension 20 and the second extension 22 to slidably receive the divider 16 separating the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14. The cap 18 may lock to the compartments 12, 14 through friction fit engagement or another mechanical or adhesive retention mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the cap 18 attaches to the compartments 12, 14 through snap-tight engagement of a plastic extension that engages a corresponding plastic recession. The extension may be formed in the cap 18 and the recession may be formed in the compartments 12, 14, and vice versa.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a first lid 26 and a second lid 28, respectively, in the unlocked position. The lids 26, 28 pivot about a common hinge 30 disposed therebetween. The hinge 30 is preferably a substantially resilient, yet flexible plastic or metal material that enables the lids 26, 28 to pivot between the closed position (FIG. 2) and the open position (FIG. 3 for the first lid 26 and FIG. 4 for the second lid 28). Each lid 26, 28 preferably includes an overhang 32 that extends beyond the outer periphery of the compartments 12, 14. This particular feature is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 with respect to the first lid 26. The overhang 32 enables a user to easily engage either lid 26, 28 with a fingertip or other utensil to unlock the corresponding lid 26, 28 from the closed position and pivot the corresponding lid 26, 28 to an open position, as described above.

Each lid 26, 28 further includes a lock 34 for maintaining the respective lid 26, 28 in the closed position. The lock 34 includes a pair of extensions protruding out from the planar surface of the lid 26, 28. The lock 34 engages some aspect of the extensions 20, 22 such that the lid 26, 28 is not easily opened during transportation. In this regard, the lock 34 preferably slidably engages the interior surface of the extensions 20, 22 to provide a friction fit therebetween. The friction between the lock 34 and the corresponding extension 20, 22 prevents disengagement therefrom absent applying a force to the overhang 32 to pivot the corresponding lid 26, 28 out from the closed position to the open position. The lock 34 may also incorporate a mechanical retention mechanism, such as an indentation that engages a corresponding protrusion along the interior of the extensions 20, 22 (not shown), or vice versa. The important aspect of the lock 34 is that the lids 26, 28 remain in the closed position during normal transportation absent user intervention to pivot the corresponding lid 26, 28 to the open position.

FIGS. 5-7 further illustrate the dual compartment container 10 storing a plurality of toothpicks 36 and a plurality of mints 38. As shown in FIG. 5, the dual compartment container 10 has compartments 12, 14 dimensioned to readily retain a plurality of the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38. Notably, the first compartment 12 is long enough to store a plurality of the longitudinally extending toothpicks 36. The second compartment 14 is likewise configured along its length, width and height to easily store one or mints 38. Access to the interior of the compartments 12, 14 is granted by unlocking the corresponding lid 26, 28, as previously described, by engaging the overhang 32 and pivoting the corresponding lid 26, 28 about the hinge 30. The force applied to the overhang 32 must overcome the frictional, mechanical or adhesive lock 34 that maintains each lid 26, 28 in the closed position. The dual compartment container 10 as illustrated in FIG. 5 is ready for transportation such that the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38 will not inadvertently dispense therefrom. Moreover, the robust container 10 cannot be pierced by the toothpicks 36, thereby preventing any potential damage to the article carrying the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38. The toothpicks 36 and the mints 38 also remain shielded from the environment and any potential contaminants.

FIG. 6 illustrates the second lid 28 disengaged from the interior of the second compartment 14. The lid 28 pivots back about the hinge 30 to provide an opening 40 in the cap 18 through which any one of a plurality of the mints 38 may be dispensed. The corresponding toothpicks 36 in the first compartment 12 remain locked therein as the first lid 26 stays in the closed position even though the second lid 28 is in the open position. Closing the second lid 28 simply requires applying a nominal force to the overhang 32 such that the lock 34 reengages with the interior surface of the second extension 22.

Conversely, FIG. 7 illustrates the first lid 26 disengaged from the first compartment 12. In this embodiment, the toothpicks 36 may be dispensed through a comparable opening 40. The second lid 28 remains engaged to the second extension 22 such that the mints 38 in the second compartment 14 are not dispensed therefrom. Closing the first lid 26 simply requires applying a force to the corresponding overhang 32 such that the first lid 26 rotates about the hinge 30 for reengagement of the lock 34 to the interior surface of the first extension 20. In an alternative embodiment, both the first lid 26 and the second lid 28 may be unlocked from the respective first extension 20 and the second extension 22 such that the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38 may be dispensed simultaneously. In other words, the lids 26, 28 are both capable of pivoting about the hinge 30 simultaneously.

The dual compartment container 10 of the present invention has many uses for storing and transporting a variety of items, including the aforementioned toothpicks 36 and the aforementioned mints 38. The dual compartment container 10 is particularly ideal for transporting consumables or other items where sanitary cleanliness is highly desirable. With respect to the present invention, it is particularly preferred that the dual compartment container 10 include the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 for storing at least the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38. The dual compartment container 10 is preferably sized to accommodate both the toothpicks 36 and the mints 38, while simultaneously enabling a user to easily transport the dual compartment container 10 in a bag, purse, pants pocket, etc. But, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the dual compartment container 10 may include a variety of shapes and sizes that can accommodate transportation of a wide variety of items such as consumables.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A dual compartment container for mints and picks, comprising: a housing which forms a plurality of elongated compartments each having an open end; a plurality of mints disposed within a least one of the elongated compartments; a plurality of picks disposed within another of the elongated compartments; and a respective selectively lockable lid associated with each open end of the plurality of elongated compartments, wherein the lids retain the mints and picks in their respective compartments when closed, and permit the mints and picks to be removed from their respective compartments when opened.
 2. The dual compartment container of claim 1, wherein the lids are integral to a single cap insertable into the housing.
 3. The dual compartment container of claim 1, wherein the lids pivot about a common hinge.
 4. The dual compartment container of claim 1, wherein the housing is transparent.
 5. A dual compartment container for mints and picks, comprising: a housing which forms a plurality of elongated compartments each having an open end; a plurality of mints disposed within a least one of the elongated compartments; a plurality of picks disposed within another of the elongated compartments; and a respective selectively lockable lid associated with each open end of the plurality of elongated compartments, wherein the lids retain the mints and picks in their respective compartments when closed, and permit the mints and picks to be removed from their respective compartments when opened; wherein the lids are integral to a single cap insertable into the housing; and wherein the lids pivot about a common hinge.
 6. The dual compartment container of claim 5, wherein the housing is transparent. 